Steve Holdren scored 28 points against Illinois two years ago while playing for South Dakota State, and now he’s on the other side. Even though Holdren transferred to Illinois before last season, NCAA rules kept him from playing – but on Sunday, Holdren saw his first action in more than a year, scoring seven points against Northeastern. He’s been in contention for the starting shooting guard spot and is expected to be an integral part of the team’s backcourt combo this year. The Daily Illini had a chance to sit down with him on Tuesday to discuss the 2007-08 season.

Daily Illini: Steve, when you realized you were in the running to start this year, what did that feel like?

Steve Holdren: It was exciting, you know, to be contending for a starting spot – I wasn’t really expecting to have that this year coming fight off the bat, like you said. I hadn’t played a game in two years and Trent’s been in here working his butt off. He’s done a good job so I’m not really worried about starting as long as I’m playing and contributing.

DI: And what was last year like, not being able to play at all because of transfer rules?

SH: It was tough. It was very tough just sitting on the bench not being able to help the team, not being able to do anything, really. Just going out to practice everyday and knowing you’re not going to get to play. It was hard to stay focused coming to practice everyday. You have to work your butt off all the time, and sometimes I was just left thinking, “For what?”

DI: Do you think you fell behind at all because of those feelings, maybe you didn’t push yourself as hard as other guys?

SH: I don’t really think I fell behind, but some days before practice I had trouble getting my mindset right. And you have to come out with the best mindset everyday.

DI: So what’s the difference now?

SH: I think I’m a little more focused this year. I gotta be because, you know, I’m playing this year. I’m just trying to work hard at all times. Coach (Bruce) Weber preaches that, for us to work hard every practice, and that’s all I’m trying to do.

DI: Tell me about your defense. It’s been your weakness in the past, people have called you out on it. But what are you doing about that?

SH: I mean, Coach Weber’s been preaching defense to me in particular since I’ve been here. He says, “You’re a great scorer” and everything, but you got to do it on both ends of the floor. The first game against Northeastern, I think I played great defense and in the two exhibition games I think I played pretty well, so I think I’m getting better. It’s a learning process, you know?

DI: You had seven points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field against Northeastern on Sunday. What do you think you need to do on offense this year?

SH: I just have to be a little more aggressive. I only took three shots, but that’s not all I can do. I can help this team out defensively, too, but if the shots are there, I have to take them.

DI: Is “sluggish” a word you’d use to describe your first game of the year against Northeastern? Sloppy?

SH: That’s just something, at the early part of the season, most teams go through that. It’s a learning process, we’ve got a lot of young guys, a lot of guys playing together for the first time. You know, it’s going to take a couple games to get under our belt, get a few game situations like that in. I think it’s all been a learning experience and that game will definitely help us learn what it takes…We’ve got a lot of improving to do and we’ve got a lot of talent. I believe we’re just scratching the surface of how good we can be.